In the last book of the Bible (Revelation)
we read about the temple (Sanctuary) of God in heaven
and the ark of his testament: "And the temple
of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his
temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings,
and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."
Rev. 11: 19.
In the Old Testament of the Bible we also
read about a sanctuary (temple) and the ark of his testament.
In the book of Exodus the Lord reveals the plans and all details
in regard to the construction of the Sanctuary (temple) and the
ark where the tables of stone were placed. These were made according
to the pattern that God showed Moses:
"And let them make me a sanctuary;
that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew
thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern
of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. And
they shall make an ark of shittim wood...And thou shalt
put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold...And thou
shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the
ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
And there I will meet with thee, and I will
commune with thee from above the mercy seat
from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of
the testimony..." Exod. 25: 8-10, 16, 17, 21, 22.
God gave specific instructions to Moses
about the construction of the temple in earth, patterned after
the one in heaven, so that we can know and understand the grand
work of instruction that comes from above the "Mercy
Seat".
From the Mercy Seat which is above
the "Ark of his testament" in the Holy of
Holies (Most Holy) in heaven, God "communes";
through the Holy Spirit within us, revealing His Glory in
our tabernacle (sanctuary) "from glory to glory" changing
our character to the "same image" of God (2
Cor. 3:18).
This grand work of instruction and of "Grace",
and of "peace" is "multiplied"
unto us through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
giving us His Divine Power in all things that pertain
unto life and godliness; (2 Peter 1:2) purging our
conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Heb.
9:14).
So from the Holy of Holies, Jesus our
mediator, (Heb. 9:15) give us precious promises so
that by these, we may be partakers of the divine nature for
His glory (2 Peter 1:4). And as the "cloud covered
the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled
the tabernacle", (Exod. 40: 34) our "tabernacles"
(2 Peter 1: 13-14) may also be filled with the "fullness
of him that filleth all in all" (Ephes. 1:23) through
the Holy Spirit of promise. "To the intent that now unto
the principalities and power in heavenly places might be known
by the church the manifold wisdom of God", (Ephes.
3: 10) "...which things the angels desire to look
into" (1Peter 1:12).
Christ, our mediator officiates in the heavenly sanctuary. We must follow
Him there so that we may not be "barren nor unfruitful in
the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8);
for in His Wisdom we should give "diligence" to make
our "calling and election sure", for if we do these
things, we "shall never fall" (2 Peter 1:
10). What the Lord is doing now in the Most Holy Place in
Heaven is vital for us today. When we realize:
1. What He is...
2. Where He is...
3. What He is doing...
...then, we can discover the practical
things of redemption in the cross of calvary and the practical
things of redemption in the permanent presence and deeper
infilling of Jesus through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Then we can establish what the nature of our experience can be
and is to be.
We need to know now the 'how' of the
practical experience in Christ. The impartation of Divine
light from Christ for awareness and consciousness of sin,
recognition and the put out of them (sins) by the blood
and power of Jesus Christ.
We can then understand the complete
ministry of Christ in the Most Holy Place, from where He
imparts Enabling Grace, Enabling Power, Enabling Faith advancing
from one line of obedience to another, reaching on from power
to power, from strength to strength and from Grace to Grace
so that:
"...we all, with open face beholding
as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into same
image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the
Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18) and because "everyone
that is called by my name... I have created...for my glory,
I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Isa. 43:7.
Then we will understand that righteousness
by faith obtains without ceasing a continuously supply of power
from Christ, the inexhaustible Fountain of life. The power
necessary for the development of perfect characters in the same
image by the Spirit of the Lord.
Here lies the secret of righteousness by
faith, the greatest privilege, the most precious truth that the
mind of man can possible receive. This brings power unlimited,
endless, infinite, to perfect the character by "putting
away" not "filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God" (1 Peter 3:21). Then
will God "quicken" our "mortal bodies by his Spirit
that dwelleth" in us and translate living saints into glory
(Rom. 8:11; 1 Tes.4:15-17). Amen.
"The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last
days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected
with the sanctuary above should make such an impression
upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress
others... When this grand truth is seen and understood, those
who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people
to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful.
By study, contemplation, and prayer God's people will be elevated
above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought
into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the
sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith
will go with Him into the sanctuary, and the worshippers on earth
will be carefully reviewing their lives and comparing their characters
with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their
own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid
of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great
and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God's ambassadors."
5T pg. 575.
The Jewish tabernacle was a type of the Christian tabernacle.
The Jewish tabernacle was a a type of the faithful sons of God
that constitute the church here on earth. This is why the Word
of God reveals: "Know ye not that ye are the TEMPLE OF GOD,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Cor.
3:16).
We are the temples of God! Partakers
of Divine nature! by the faith of Jesus, for His Glory.
Amen.
With this thought in mind, let us begin
a study that to some may not be of interest. However, if one
analyzes what we have already covered and what is at stake, not
only will this study become an interesting subject, but it will
confirm and will establish what God has been doing in heaven
and what He is about to do for the Last Generation of living
saints upon this earth.
Let us for a moment go back to 1974. While
I was going to College, a friend gave me a book that challenged
the Investigative Judgment, 1844 and the sanctuary doctrine as
taught by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Being a sincere Seventh
Day Adventist Christian, I began to read this book with special
interest. I honestly have to admit that as a result, many doubts
were implanted in my mind. I was determined at that time
to investigate with the Bible, by myself, with God's help, the
truth according to the Word. I wanted to make sure that everything
related to my religious experience was based totally and completely
from a Bible teaching. I kept going to church. I kept reading
and reading and researching.
A few years went by and although I still
had doubts about 1844, there were certain doctrines the Seventh
Day Adventist Church teach, that I had totally researched and
found to be true according the the Word of God. But I needed
to do more research on 1844 and the Investigative Judgment.
Since my early childhood, I have been
and I am still convinced that we are living in the time
of the end and that Jesus words will soon be fulfilled:
"Let not your heart be be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are
many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that
where I am, there ye may be also" John 14: 1-3.
The prophecies of the Bible really kept
me going, reading, investigating and researching as I never had
before. As time passed by, I became more and more a truly believer
of the Word. Later, while going to the SDA church in Puerto Rico,
the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, by His Word gave me a deeper
understanding related to Justification by Faith & God's love
for mankind. This precious truth reveals not only that we are
saved by the faith of Jesus, but in "demonstration of the
Spirit and of power" that our "faith should not
stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God"
(1 Cor. 2:4, 5) to them that believe:
"But the scripture hath concluded
all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might
be given to them that believe" Gal. 3: 22.
"To declare, I say, at this time his
righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him
which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is
excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without
the deeds of the law" Rom. 3: 26-28.
"For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not
by works, lest any man should boast" Eph. 2: 8-9.
"In whom ye also trusted, after that
ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
holy Spirit of promise" Eph. 1: 13.
Faith, a Gift of God! The Gospel of
our salvation! With the Holy Spirit of promise! ¡With POWER!
What a wonderful truth!
But, what about the Investigative Judgment
and 1844? Was this really and truly a Bible doctrine? Not only
doubts came to my mind in the early 1970's, but in the 1980's
when there were among Adventist circles much debate and controversy
relating to the Sanctuary and the Investigative Judgment. Many
SDA pastors and members alike began to have many doubts on this
doctrine and many, many more did not realized what was happening,
right in front of their eyes.
The thought that I had to make sure
that everything related to my religious experience was based
totally and completely from the teachings of the Word of God,
became even stronger. I kept researching the Bible. I was determined
not to allow anybody to influence me in one way or another. I
had to find out by myself, with the Lord's help through the Holy
Bible if what I was taught regarding the Investigative Judgment
and 1844 was really and truly a Bible doctrine. The Bible must
interpret itself. The Holy Spirit will speak through the Word.
This is His promise.
In 1984, the Lord, once more gave me a
wonderful experience. The Holy Spirit was working in my life
in a very distinctive and particular way. I knew and I know that
this was the special work of the Holy Spirit. The Lord was revealing
through the Holy Scriptures the most precious promises in
connection with the time of the end. I began to understand
the power of our salvation in relation to the time of the end,
in connection with His character and of course, obedience by
faith.
The power of His salvation, the
power of His love, the glory of His Character. The
time of His Judgment, and the time of the end are
totally related and connected, forming a chain of Bible truths
that make the everlasting gospel. The Word says: "And I
saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Saying with
a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour
of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" Rev.
14: 6-7.
The Lord has power to create heaven and
earth with the power of His Word. He also gives power and
grace to create a new man to the glory of God with
the same power that created heaven and earth. With the
same power we can obey God's Word:
"and declared to be the Son of God
with power according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace
and apostleship for obedience to the faith, among
all nations, for his name" Rom. 1: 4-5.
Yes, we receive grace or power to obey
the faith. This is why the Gospel of Christ is the power
of God unto salvation:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek"
Rom. 3:16.
We receive grace or power to obey the
faith because is the power of God unto salvation. It is important
to understand that we grow in Grace. Grace by Grace. We
grow in Faith. Faith by Faith. We grow in Power. All
gifts of God. Glory be to him, forever and ever. Amen.
But, what about the Investigative Judgment
and 1844? Before we study this
question more closely, I believe it is necessary to see how other
non-adventist Christians see the Seventh-day Adventist Church
in a well known book written by Walter Martin and to cover a
little history as to how "the Adventism
of today is different in not a few places
from the Adventism of 1845..." as stated by Martin in his
latest edition of the book called the The Kindgdom of the
Cults (Bethany House Publishers, 1985), pg., 409.
It is interesting to note that he dedicates almost 100 pages
just to Seventh Day Adventism. In fact he dedicates more pages
to the SDA teachings than any other church or cult, discussed
in his book.
What is even more interesting is that he
starts by saying in the preface named 'THE PUZZLE OF SEVENTH
DAY ADVENTISM", PG. 409:
"In a volume such as this dealing
with the problem of non-Christian cults, the question might logically
be asked, "Why include Seventh-day Adventism, especially
since the writer has classified them in a full-length volume
as a Christian denomination? The answer to this is that for
over a century Adventism has borne a sigma of being called a
non-Christian cult system. Whether or not this was justified
in the early development of Adventism, I have already discussed
at length in my earlier book, but it should be carefully remembered
that the Adventism of today is different in not a few places
from the Adventism of 1845, and with that change the necessity
of reevaluation comes naturally."
He further states: "Together with
the Evangelical Foundation (founded by the late Dr. Donald Grey
Barnhouse and publishers of Eternity magazine),
I conducted a through reevaluation of the Seventh-day Adventist
several years ago. The results of that reevaluation were presented
comprehensively in my book, The Truth About Seventh-day
Adventism. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing Company,
1960) and then later in the first editions of this volume.
It is my conviction that one cannot be
a true Jehova's Witness, Mormon, Christian Scientist, Unitarian,
Spiritists etc., and be a Christian in the Biblical sense of
term; but it is perfectly possible to be a Seventh-day Adventist
and be a true follower of Jesus Christ despite certain heterodox
concepts which will be discussed."
The statement from Martin that "the Adventism of
today is different in not a few places from the Adventism of
1845", really called my attention. As I continued to read,
I realized why according to Martin, "The Adventism
of today is different." He states in page 410: "...during
the last ten years (since the early 1970s) the Seventh-day Adventist
denomination has seen turbulence, both administratively and doctrinally,
that is more extensive than any turmoil in the organization's
history....Doctrinally, the church has developed a large
rift between those members and leaders who are solidly within
the evangelical Christian camp and those members and leaders
who, because of their emphasis on works-righteousness, legalism
and the prophetic status accorded to founder Ellen G. White,
may well move the denomination over time outside of the evangelical
camp and perhaps even into actual cultism."
Today's difference from the earlier years
are evident. Many scholars, pastors and church members alike
do no longer believe in the Sanctuary doctrine and the Investigative
judgment. Many churches do no longer teach it and rarely do you
hear a sermon preach about it.
But, perhaps a recent SDA writer will best
describe today's Adventism. Clifford Goldstein (a converted Christian
Jew) in his book (1844 made simple - Pacific Press-Publishing
Association) pg., 7 states: "I'll never forget
the thrill of emerging from the darkness of agnosticism, skepticism--even
spiritualism--into the light of the three angels messages. The
Lord lifted me from sin, from death, from the alienation and
emptiness that suffuses a life estranged from God--and elevated
me not only into knowledge of Jesus, but into Adventism, into
present truth, into the most important movement since the Protestant
Reformation.
Yet all was not well in Zion. I joined
Adventism amid rumblings, rumors, and rebellion--thought, in
my newborn innocence, most of passed me by. Oblivious, I was
a smiling baby unaware of the bitter lessons of life.
I had been an Adventist three months when
a friend told me about an SDA professor out West who denied the
1844 investigative judgment.
"Who cares?" I replied.
I had seen the charts, had read about 1844,
and believe it because Ellen White believed in what we believed.
But who cared? All I ever talked about my first six months as
a Adventist was the mark of the beast, anyway. I gave dozens
of studies on the mark of the beast. I told everyone about the
mark of the beast. I even wrote graffiti on bathroom walls about
the mark of the beast. 1844? It seemed irrelevant.
In early 1981, I arrived in my first Adventist
community. Here, the rumors about 1844 and the sanctuary controversy
did more than rumble--they roared! It was the conversation at
breakfast, lunch, dinner, and between meals. Though I didn't
understand what the hoopla was about, I knew one thing: Nothing
would shake me.
But then people confronted me with questions: How do you get
an 1844 investigative judgment out of Daniel 8:14? How do you
know that the day-year principle is valid? And if valid, why
apply it to the 2300 days? How do you tie Daniel 8 and 9 together?
Why is there no verbal link between the word for cleansed (which
only the KJV uses) in Daniel 8, with the word for cleansed in
Leviticus 16, which has a different Hebrew root? How do you know
that the 2300 evenings and mornings of Daniel 8 aren't 1150 days,
not 2300 days, as at least one translation has it? Can't you
see how the book of Hebrews puts Christ in the second apartment
long before 1844? Is not Antiochus Epiphanes the little horn
of Daniel 8? And by the way, did you know how much Ellen White
really copied?"
How about if we start answering some of
these questions with the first part of a series of related articles.
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